There is a brand new visitors' center. The old one, while dated and a bit cheesy, still left me emotional and in tears when I used to visit it. This one doesn't fail to disappoint either. I won't give the ending away for those of you who haven't been, but needless to say if you have any bit of American in you at all, it's hard NOT to get emotional.
You can bring a picnic lunch and bikes and your dog - and enjoy the entire day there. There are plenty of trees for shade and the view of the inner harbor is stunning.
I usually arrive by boat, my kids enjoy this and it's a great way to pull up to the Fort by taking the water taxi. The water taxi is $10 for an adult and $5 for a child's all day pass - so it would have cost us $30 just for this round trip ride across the water - whether you use the pass all day or not it is the same price.
We waited in line for the water taxi this past Sunday night - the night before Memorial Day - and Sarah Palin's surprise visit to the Fort.....and were told that the water taxi's stopped running to the Fort at 4 pm....
So plan B, we got in the car and drove. Parking is easy and free. We went on a superb weather day on Memorial Day weekend (such patriots, I know) and parking was plenty.
We only had about an hour to visit since the water taxi incident cut an hour into our time. So we didn't get to see as much of the new visitor's center as I would have liked. But, we did get to see my favorite part, the end of the information video they show. It's a must see people!
On a side note, while on the sea dog boat ride the day prior, they showed us the buoy which is the spot where it is believed that Francis Scott Key wrote our National Anthem....pretty cool - and a lot further away than I had previously thought.
The boys love seeing the old canons, gunpowder, bunkers and sleeping quarters. You could really spend an entire day here if you wanted to - or just an hour. Either way it is well worth the small cost.
People come from all over the country and world to see this site - here it is right in our backyard and we don't visit it enough! Shame on you if you are a Baltimorean and have not been! Go this weekend!
When I studied abroad in Australia and visited Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, I had locals tell me that while they lived a boat ride away from the GBR, they had never seen the reef. I was stunned! But I think we do this kind of thing all the time. Same with our national treasures in DC - people come from all over the world to see the White House and Smithsonian Museums, etc, and we barely ever go see it even though it is less than an hour away. Speaking of the Smithsonian, you can see the Star Spangled Banner there - click here for more information.
As I mentioned, the Star Spangled banner is my favorite song. I get chills every time I hear it, and YES I scream out the Baltimore O when the time is right, and always will. And NO I don't think it is disrespectful. One of my all time favorite versions is Whitney singing the Star Spangled Banner - listen here. Carrie Underwood's version isn't too shabby either. OK and I just found this Kelly Clarkson version that's amazing! I dare you to watch these and not get PUMPED up or excited in the least. We live in an amazing country, and it isn't until you've left it or lived elsewhere, or fought for it, I think, that you truly 100% appreciate how amazing it is. Speaking of, a special thank you to ALL who have ever served our country. I admire you all!
On this particular visit, we got there during the changing of the Flag. Since my boyfriend has been in the Navy for 23 years, they let him raise the flag. Click here to see:
Very cool! The boys got to help take down the flag and learned to respect it, and NEVER let it touch the ground. They were very serious about it and held their hand over their little hearts during the raising.
On this link here you can see the building of the new center....a pretty big deal if you had seen the old one...
Fees
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee to the historic area of the park is $7.00 for adults 16 years of age and older; children 15 and younger are free. This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. You must keep your entrance receipt to re-enter the park in the 7-day time period.
Annual or Lifetime Passes are alternatives to the above fees. All passes can be purchased or obtained at the Visitor Center Information Desk.
We chose to buy an annual pass knowing that I would be sure to return within a year to take my college roomie who had wanted to go. It is just $30 - what a bargain! You can spend $60 bucks on a 3D movie for a family of four!
So worth it....
